If Ca Mau Cape is a "national pride" check-in point, then U Minh Ha forest is where you'll experience the purest Mekong Delta life — cruising by motorboat through lush melaleuca forests, learning traditional honey harvesting from skilled foresters, and savoring pure forest honey right on the spot. This is a journey you won't find anywhere else in the world.
1. What is U Minh Ha?
U Minh Ha is a freshwater flooded melaleuca forest spanning over 8,500 hectares in U Minh and Tran Van Thoi districts, Ca Mau province. Together with U Minh Thuong in Kien Giang, it is part of the UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve since 2009 — one of the largest mangrove and melaleuca forests in Southeast Asia. For a more detailed understanding of this unique ecosystem, see our article on U Minh Ha National Park.
The uniqueness of U Minh Ha lies in its melaleuca forest ecosystem on peatland — a rare type of soil globally, formed over thousands of years from accumulated decaying leaves. Beneath the verdant melaleuca canopy is a dense network of canals, home to snakehead fish, eels, snakes, turtles, and especially wild honeybee colonies — the most precious resource for the local people.
During the resistance wars, U Minh Ha was an important revolutionary base, dubbed "the sacred U Minh Ha forest" in poetry and history. Today, it attracts tourists with its pristine wilderness and rare rustic experiences.
2. Unique Experiences in U Minh Ha
Motorboat Through Melaleuca Forest
Ride a motorboat through narrow canals in the melaleuca forest — calm waters, dense canopy, the gentle hum of the engine mixed with bird songs. This experience truly immerses you in the pristine wilderness.
Taste Young Bees & Fresh Honey
Foresters will bring down a beehive and let you taste young bees — sweet, nutritious bee larvae, rich in protein. Fresh honey scooped directly from the comb, enjoyed on the spot — a pure sweetness you won't find anywhere else.
Set Traps for Fish & Eels
Learn how to set and retrieve traditional traps for fish and eels, a common practice among U Minh locals. Whatever you catch will be prepared into a fresh, delicious lunch right there.
Listen to the Forest & Birdwatch
U Minh Ha is home to over 150 bird species, including many rare ones. In the early morning, the sound of birds singing in the melaleuca forest is the most wonderful natural symphony you'll ever hear.
3. Gác Kèo Ong (Honey Harvesting) — Vietnam's Unique Traditional Craft
This is what sets U Minh Ha apart from any other tourist destination in Vietnam. The "gác kèo ong" (honey harvesting) craft is a traditional practice with a history of hundreds of years, found only in the U Minh region.
Foresters use wooden planks (called "kèo") about 1–1.5m long, carved and treated with forest honey to attract wild bees to build their nests. These kèo are placed on melaleuca branches at a suitable height. After a few weeks, wild bees will find them and build their nests on the kèo. The harvesters then collect honey periodically without destroying the hive — an incredibly sustainable way of harvesting from nature.
In 2024, the U Minh honey harvesting craft was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. When you take the U Minh Ha Tour (from 590,000 VND) with Bà Ngoại Homestay, local foresters will guide you through this craft and you'll witness firsthand how honey is harvested from natural beehives.
4. When is the Best Time to Visit U Minh Ha?
February–April is the golden time to visit U Minh Ha as it's the peak honey-making season. During the dry season, the water is clearer, and the melaleuca forests bloom with white flowers, attracting millions of bees to build their nests. U Minh honey during these months is the sweetest and richest in flavor.
Monthly Schedule:
- February–April (Best): Dry season, abundant honey, melaleuca flowers in bloom, easy boat trips.
- May–July: Start of the rainy season, greener forests, still some honey but less.
- August–October: High water season, easier boat trips but land routes into the forest can be difficult.
- November–January: Year-end, bees start making honey again, mild weather.
5. What to Eat in U Minh Ha?
U Minh Ha cuisine is a chapter of its own — wild, rustic dishes, with ingredients from the forest and waterways prepared in traditional local ways. See more about Ca Mau specialties and what to buy as souvenirs if you want to bring these flavors home:
Eel Stew with Noni Leaves
Wild eel stewed with sour noni leaves — a signature dish of the U Minh region. The gentle sourness of noni leaves blends with the rich, fatty eel meat, perfect with white rice.
Bee Larvae Salad
Young bee larvae mixed in a salad with herbs, tamarind, and chili. Crunchy, rich, and unique — this is a challenging dish that 90% of tourists enjoy after trying.
Braised Climbing Perch in Clay Pot
U Minh wild climbing perch braised in a clay pot with pepper and coconut water — sweet, savory, and unforgettable when served with hot rice.
Fried Young Bees
Young bees (bee larvae) coated in batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy — a rare, special dish, rich in protein, with an indescribable nutty flavor. Only in U Minh can you find such fresh ingredients.
Sour Snakehead Fish Hotpot
Fresh wild snakehead fish cooked in a sour hotpot with tamarind, pineapple, tomatoes, served with wild vegetables picked on the spot. A perfect end to a day of forest exploration.
6. How to Get to U Minh Ha
U Minh Ha is about 30–35km from Ca Mau City center by road, taking about 45 minutes by motorbike or car. However, tourists should book a package tour for transportation and a local guide, as the forest is quite complex and easy to get lost if traveling alone. See more on how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau if you're starting from Saigon.
Travel Tips:
- Phone signal is weak in the area — download offline maps before you go.
- Nearest ATM is in U Minh district — bring enough cash.
- Roads into the forest can be dirt paths — may be slippery after rain.
- Tour with Bà Ngoại Homestay: pick-up service included, no need to worry about transportation.
7. Important Notes for Visiting U Minh Forest
- ⚠️Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts: Protect yourself from mosquitoes and insects in the forest. The homestay has traditional "áo bà ba" available to borrow.
- ⚠️Use mosquito repellent: Bring DEET-based mosquito repellent, especially in the afternoon when mosquitoes are most active.
- ⚠️Do not bring outside food into the forest: Protect the ecosystem, do not litter in the forest.
- ✅Listen to your guide: Local foresters have years of experience and understand the forest better than anyone.
- ✅Bring a waterproof camera: When paddling, splashes are common. A waterproof zip bag for your phone is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions About U Minh Ha Forest
Do I need to buy a ticket to enter U Minh Ha forest?
Is swimming allowed in U Minh melaleuca forest?
What is the best season to visit U Minh Ha?
How long does it take to get from Ca Mau City to U Minh Ha?
Experience U Minh Ha Forest Now!
1-day tour from 590,000 VND/person, including pick-up, specialty lunch, and local forester guide.
